Quantifying the impact of PEV charging loads on the reliability performance of generation systems

Plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) charging load represents a large and uncontrollable load that behaves far differently from a conventional load. This paper presents a methodology for evaluating the adequacy of the power capacity of systems that include PEV charging loads. A probabilistic analytical approach has been employed using an IEEE reliability test system. The PEV charging load is modeled based on the National Household Travel Survey and on currently available market data pertaining to PEV type and charging level. Also presented is the effect on the adequacy indices of each PEV load parameter, specifically penetration level, PEV type, and charging level. A further case study was conducted in order to evaluate the impact of the current time-of-use tariff in response to the expected increase in power demand due to the massive deployment of PEVs. The results show that the addition of PEVs significantly affects the generation reliability, and that higher charging levels and PEVs with greater battery capacity create a severe risk to generation reliability. Investigation of solutions that maintain reliability indices is therefore required.